The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1887-01-19
GIRLS ON THE FARM.

The future of the boys on the
farm is no more important than the
Interests and welfare Of the girls on
the farm. The boy can pack his
trunk and seek his opportunities in
any climate and wherever his incli-
nation takes him, but the future of
the girl is just what her parents
shape her for. She cannot leave
her home if dissatisfied, and she
must accept the(situation as it is
until some favored sutton takes her
ito another home, which may be
for better or for worse, according
to circumstances. The farmers
daughters should be educated, but
education consists Of more than a
knowledge of history; mathematics
and the construction Of the
English language. The girl on
the farm may at some future time
fin | herselfthe responsible lady OF the
house, whose judgement and skill in
management may be e%ssentialt to the
success of her husband. And this
responsibility does not end with a
day or a year, but continues to the
close of her life, others being also
dependent upon her for the proper
guidance in the affairs of domestic
management. A philosopher once
remarked that if he had control of
the education of the girls or future
mothers, he cared not who controlled
the sons, for upon the mother rests
the moral training of the children.
Every girl on the farm should be
made to realize that she is capable
of an independent existence; that
should occasion arise she can assist
herself and become q useful and de-
sirable member of any family. b Iu-
cation, therefore, should embrace
not only a knowledge from books,
but a practical familiarity with those
matters which may daily be brought
within her province torpertormance.
Cookery is an art and should be
studied and practiced to perfection,
while system and a knowledge of
sanitary principles should be a part
Of every girls education. Death
turks in the dish rag, the drinking
water. the un-aired beds, the badly
ventilated rooms, the indigestible
food and unsuitable clothing. These
evils can only be corrected by a
wife and she should thoroughly un-
derstand cause and effect.
We will venture to state that the
future will find the girl in dairy
schools receiving lessons, butter
making will be taught as a science,
and she will become as familiar with
the merits and characteristics of
all breeds of stock as her brothers.
She should know all about the
breeds Of poultry, the management
and the proper methods for
Although not exactly her duty, yet
she should not overlook gardening,
while botany would greatly assist
her in many respects. When the
girls possess a knowledge Of house
keeping az a profession, their ser
vices will be in demand. And the
term housekeeping embraces more
than may be imagined. 1t means
something more than the use of the
broom, the scrubbing brush and the
wash tub. 1t takes in sewing, a
knowledge of making ornamental
aud useful articles, preserving fruits
and vegetables and the production
of first class essential articles so nee
essary for comfort and enjoyment.
Common drudgery, without knowl-
edge of the science of housekeeping.
condemns a girl to life long servi-
tude. She is at present a slave to
circumstances and constantly desires
to escape. Give herthe opportunity
and she will be independent.-Farm,
Field and SOckmdn.